A table can be linked to data in a Microsoft Excel (XLS, .XLSX, or CSV) file. You can link to an entire spreadsheet, individual row, column, cell, or cell range in Excel.

You can bring data from Microsoft Excel into a table in the following three ways:

• As formulas with supported data formats attached.
• As calculated data from formulas calculated in Excel (supported data formats not attached).
• As calculated data from formulas calculated in Excel (with data formats attached).

A table that contains data links displays indicators around linked cells. If you hover your mouse cursor over the data link, information about the data link is displayed.

If a linked spreadsheet has been changed, such as adding a row or column, the table in your drawing can be updated accordingly using the DATALINKUPDATEcommand. Likewise, if a change is made to a table in your drawing, then you can update the linked spreadsheet using the same command.

By default, a data link is locked from editing to prevent undesired changes to the linked spreadsheet. You can lock cells from data changes, format changes, or both. To unlock a data link, click Locking on either the Table ribbon contextual tab or the Table toolbar.

Procedure

To link to a table in an external spreadsheet

1. In your table, select the table cells to link.
2. On either the Table ribbon contextual tab or Table toolbar, click Link Cell.
3. In the Data Link Manager tree view, select Click to Create a New Excel Data Link.
4. In the Enter Data Link Name dialog box, enter a name for the data link. Click OK.
5. Click the [...] button to browse for the XLS or CSV file to link.
6. In the New Excel Data Link dialog box, do one of the following:
   • Select Link to a Named Range. Click OK.
   • Select Link to Range. Enter a valid range from the Excel spreadsheet (for example, A1:D17). Click OK.
7. Select the new data link in the Data Link Manager tree view. Click OK.

To remove a link to an external spreadsheet

1. Click inside a cell within the data linked table to select the cell.
2. Right-click and click Data Links Detach Data Link.

To set up a named range in Microsoft Excel

1. In Microsoft Excel, open the workbook or spreadsheet that you want to access.
2. Select a range of cells to function as a linked range.
3. In the Name Box, enter a name for the range of cells, then press Enter.
4. Repeat steps 2 and 3, if desired, to specify additional linked ranges.
5. On the File menu (Microsoft Excel), choose Save.

To open an external spreadsheet from a data link

1. Select any cell in the linked table or range of linked cells.
2. Right-click and click Data Links Open Data Link File.

Quick Reference

Commands

DATALINK

Displays the Data Link dialog box.

DATALINKUPDATE

Updates data to or from an established external data link.

System Variables

DATALINKNOTIFY

Controls the notification for updated or missing data links.